Detroit 2016 auto show

Beijing – The biggest global auto show of the year showcases China’s ambitions to become a leader in electric cars and the industry’s multibillion-dollar scramble to roll out models that appeal to price-conscious but demanding Chinese drivers. Auto China 2018, which opens this week, follows Beijing’s decision to allow full foreign ownership of Chinese automakers in a move to make the industry more flexible as it promotes electrics. The ruling Communist Party has transformed China into the biggest market for electrics with billions of dollars in subsidies to producers and buyers. Now, Beijing is winding down that support and shifting the financial burden to automakers with sales quotas that push them to develop models Chinese drivers want to buy. That is reflected in the auto show lineup: Global and Chinese brands including General Motors Co., Volkswagen AG and Nissan Motor Co. plan to display dozens of electrics and hybrids, from luxurious SUVs to compacts … [Read more...] about China auto show highlights industry’s electric ambition

After a Detroit auto show that was about little except pickup trucks and a new Jeep, followed by a tepid Chicago show, New York proved to be relatively rich in interesting new green cars. The standout was clearly the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric, the 250-mile battery-electric small hatchback that will go on sale before the end of the year. While it hasn't been priced yet, it's the first mass-market competitor that actually beats the 238-mile, $37,500 Chevrolet Bolt EV on range. DON'T MISS: 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric US debut: 250 miles of range from small electric car Hyundai-Kia has always been an aggressive company, and it's by far the newest of the world's five or six largest makers. We sat down with several Hyundai folks at the show (in person and by phone) to ask more detailed questions about the Kona Electric and how it came to be. They were Natalya Edwards, manager of advanced product strategy; Jerome Grergeois, senior manager of eco powertrains at the Hyundai Technical Center in … [Read more...] about 5 things about the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric we learned at the NY auto show

NEW YORK, New York — The New York International Auto Show has hereby won the right to call itself the North American International Auto Show next year, as it has usurped the erstwhile holder of that title, Detroit, with more newsy and relevant car and truck unveilings. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche all will be here again in 2019. This year, New York has the usual fleet of new sport/utility vehicles, including such high-volume models as the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. But there are actual autos—cars—here as well, including a Nissan Altima that proves the brand’s revived commitment to the midsize sedan segment. And there is a concept car that has taken our breath away like no other concept, at Detroit, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, or even Geneva has, this year … HIT: Genesis Essentia Concept And the winner of the “Wait, that’s a Hyundai?” award is this breathtakingly beautiful concept car. What a work of art. —Aaron Gold … [Read more...] about 2018 New York Auto Show Hits, Misses, and Revelations

2019 Acura RDX Prototype One of the highlights of the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit last month was the introduction of the 2019 Acura RDX Prototype (you can read our report on that introduction here). At the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, we had the opportunity to get an up-close look around and inside the RDX Prototype. 2018 Detroit Auto Show: 2019 Acura RDX Prototype It’s no secret that this show-stand special is essentially a slightly modified version of the soon-to-be-unveiled production version of the 2019 Acura RDX. Other than the flashy candy-red paint, upsized wheels, super-slim rearview mirrors, and perhaps some front and rear fasciae and bodyside-sill details, this is what the production 2019 RDX will look like. The 2019 RDX is the first production Acura to be designed from the ground up under the “Precision Crafted Performance” motif that was introduced on the Acura Precision Concept of 2016. Exterior styling highlights of the new RDX … [Read more...] about Auto-Show Walk-around: 2019 Acura RDX Prototype